Generation : Freak
Big D from Noize Level Critical radio is always a diamond when it comes to suggesting bands for us to feature – in his words – it keeps me out of trouble (thanks Dave!). As such, when he suggested we check out Generation:Freak, I figured it only right to take his word for it, well he’s not been wrong so far! Having tracked down their page on Facebook, I sat back to have a listen to see what was on offer!
Looking Back opens acoustically before bringing in some phasered vocals, the combined effect is a track which seems to be urgent yet somehow laid back, it’s something pretty special to take on board. The vocals are clean yet powerful, the guitar harmonic and to the point, I’ll be completely honest and say it wasn’t what I was expecting from a band who label themselves as alternative/rock/punk on their page, but it works! As an introduction to a band, my first instinct here was to sit back and reflect, just chill almost. The track is catchy, the instruments work and as a song, it’s excellent, but it doesn’t seem to reflect the band…
Freaks Are Coming on the other hand changes things and immediately fits the band into what I was expecting to hear – crunchy guitar lines and hammering drums, raspy and urgent vocals – this is downright dirty rocky punk and I love it! Fast, catchy and to the point from start to finish, this track is such a contrast to the first track, but seems to follow on almost perfectly! Can’t Stop is another example of this, a track which opens with hammering riffs before the drums really steal the show and the raspy vocals once again take the lead. This is another track which you want to see live, you can imagine how the crowd is going to react to this track being played and you want to be part of it! I particularly like the way the vocals follow the guitars as the track almost breaks down, creating a feeling of heaviness beyond what you would normally expect from your normal rock/punk band.
Treatment Plan is another track which slows the pace down a little, almost a brief respite from everything so far. Emotion laden clean guitar lines lead the way whilst the vocals really push the track outwards. As the heavier chorus section kicks in you’re left with no doubt that this is a band who are able to write tracks which combine different elements, but on this occasion I can’t help but feel that the recording doesn’t match the quality of the band – there’s something missing which (with some studio time) will soon be found and will elevate this track even further. Jealousy is a return to the heavier side of the band, the guitars immediately setting the pace as more upbeat whilst the drums roll around behind the mix. The vocals once again adopt their raspy and ‘off-clean’ approach, something which I think works really well in this style of music. My favourite part of this track though as to be the bass heavy chorus with the soaring lead line underpinning it all – completely unexpected yet it works perfectly.
Zombie Farm closes the selection from the band on their Facebook page, a track which resumes their more punk approach to music and leaves you questioning what the hell just happened! This track is once again heavy, urgent and fast paced – a track which is sure to have live crowds moving along with the band! I really like the mix the guys went for on this track as well, every single element of the band can be heard in the track which means you can change your focus between different elements – from the bass through to the vocals it’s all there to be heard!
Generation: Freak can clearly craft catchy tracks, but they need some proper recording time I think. At the moment the mix they’ve got is quite raw and doesn’t always match the style of music, but with some proper studio time and a decent mastering, this will be an album which I imagine a lot of people will want to own! As I’ve said above, the quality of the music is way beyond what you would expect from a band starting out, so I can’t wait to hear what comes next!
To find out more about Generation: Freak, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Looking Back opens acoustically before bringing in some phasered vocals, the combined effect is a track which seems to be urgent yet somehow laid back, it’s something pretty special to take on board. The vocals are clean yet powerful, the guitar harmonic and to the point, I’ll be completely honest and say it wasn’t what I was expecting from a band who label themselves as alternative/rock/punk on their page, but it works! As an introduction to a band, my first instinct here was to sit back and reflect, just chill almost. The track is catchy, the instruments work and as a song, it’s excellent, but it doesn’t seem to reflect the band…
Freaks Are Coming on the other hand changes things and immediately fits the band into what I was expecting to hear – crunchy guitar lines and hammering drums, raspy and urgent vocals – this is downright dirty rocky punk and I love it! Fast, catchy and to the point from start to finish, this track is such a contrast to the first track, but seems to follow on almost perfectly! Can’t Stop is another example of this, a track which opens with hammering riffs before the drums really steal the show and the raspy vocals once again take the lead. This is another track which you want to see live, you can imagine how the crowd is going to react to this track being played and you want to be part of it! I particularly like the way the vocals follow the guitars as the track almost breaks down, creating a feeling of heaviness beyond what you would normally expect from your normal rock/punk band.
Treatment Plan is another track which slows the pace down a little, almost a brief respite from everything so far. Emotion laden clean guitar lines lead the way whilst the vocals really push the track outwards. As the heavier chorus section kicks in you’re left with no doubt that this is a band who are able to write tracks which combine different elements, but on this occasion I can’t help but feel that the recording doesn’t match the quality of the band – there’s something missing which (with some studio time) will soon be found and will elevate this track even further. Jealousy is a return to the heavier side of the band, the guitars immediately setting the pace as more upbeat whilst the drums roll around behind the mix. The vocals once again adopt their raspy and ‘off-clean’ approach, something which I think works really well in this style of music. My favourite part of this track though as to be the bass heavy chorus with the soaring lead line underpinning it all – completely unexpected yet it works perfectly.
Zombie Farm closes the selection from the band on their Facebook page, a track which resumes their more punk approach to music and leaves you questioning what the hell just happened! This track is once again heavy, urgent and fast paced – a track which is sure to have live crowds moving along with the band! I really like the mix the guys went for on this track as well, every single element of the band can be heard in the track which means you can change your focus between different elements – from the bass through to the vocals it’s all there to be heard!
Generation: Freak can clearly craft catchy tracks, but they need some proper recording time I think. At the moment the mix they’ve got is quite raw and doesn’t always match the style of music, but with some proper studio time and a decent mastering, this will be an album which I imagine a lot of people will want to own! As I’ve said above, the quality of the music is way beyond what you would expect from a band starting out, so I can’t wait to hear what comes next!
To find out more about Generation: Freak, check out their Facebook page HERE.